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Illinois has a rich history that is based on the Native American population that lived and still lives here today. In fact, the name “Illinois” comes from an Algonquian word Illiniwek, which means “the people.” To celebrate the history and remember these native people, November is recognized as Native American Heritage month.

The Illinois tribe was a large and powerful nation that occupied much of the Mississippi River valley. In colonial times, they became allies with French fur traders and other colonists who lived among them. Over time, the Illinois tribes were forced to leave and move to reservations in Oklahoma. Today, many Illinois Native Americans are part of the Peoria Indian Tribe of Oklahoma.

To learn more about the Native Americans that lived here and in other parts of the country, try a few new things.

Read a book. There are hundreds of books that document that history of Native Americans, like 1491: New Revelations of the Americans Before Columbus, written by Charles C. Mann.

Watch a lacrosse game. Lacrosse may be the true American sport, as it was developed by Native Americans as early as the 12th It was played as a celebration of spiritual life and games could last for days with people rotating in and out of teams.

Try a new recipe. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, which also celebrates our ties to Native Americans, try a few new recipes that use native foods grown right here.

There’s nothing quite like spending a couple of days camping with your family—the delicious smell of the fire, roasting marshmallows, catching fireflies, fishing on the lake, and hiking through the forest. If these thoughts have you yearning for your next camping adventure, here are some great places to go camping in Ottawa, Illinois.

Buffalo Rock State Park. If primitive camping is what you prefer, this is a great park to visit. There are three primitive camping areas along the trail between Buffalo Rock and Utica. Keep in mind that the sites are not accessible by motor vehicle and do not have water or restroom facilities.

Starved Rock State Park. This large park has 129 premium campsites. At this park you can enjoy boating, fishing, hiking, and more. There are frequent special events at Starved Rock, so check the calendar to see what’s happening.

Illini State Park. This state park has campsites for every type of camper, including tent sites and trailer sites with both electric and sanitation services. You can even capture some breathtaking views of the beautiful Illinois River.

Matthiessen State Park. This is a great park for horse lovers. It includes nine miles of horseback riding trails and an equestrian campground located west of Route 178 between Route 71 and the Dells Area entrance. The campground and trails are open until October 31st.

Where is your favorite local camping destination? Let us here at Bill Walsh Toyota know!

The new 2016 Scion FR-S maintains its spunky, sporty characteristics and also features quite a few improvements for the new model year! In addition to exterior and interior tweaks, the FR-S also sports a new starting price.

The interior of the FR-S will come with a backup camera and a new audio system that features a 7-inch touch screen display. It will also sport bright silver accents throughout the new steering wheel and center console. The new FR-S will also feature voice recognition technology.

New pricing for the FR-S is as follows: the six speed manual FR-S will start at $23,305 and the automatic transmission which is equipped with paddle shifters starts at $26,405.

Last, the 2016 FR-S will be available in two new exterior colors as well. You’ll have the choice between a dazzling red named Ablaze and an electric blue named Oceanic.

If you want more information about the upcoming 2016 Scion FR-S, come visit us at Bill Walsh Toyota.

Toyota’s “Let’s Go Places” doesn’t just apply to the automaker’s vehicles. Toyota also drives education forward through the Toyota USA Foundation. The Foundation is “committed to enhancing the quality of education by supporting innovative programs…dedicated to improving the teaching and learning of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics,” according to the foundation’s mission statement. Organizations can apply for a grant if they’re charitable, open to the public, and aid in learning.

Founded in 1987, the Toyota USA Foundation has been around a little less than three decades. In that time, it’s awarded nonprofit organizations around the United States over $52 million. In 2012, Superstorm Sandy created a wide need for food in the hardest hit areas of New York City. Partnering with a food bank, Meals Per Hour was born. The packaging process was streamlined, meaning more meals could fit on a single truck and more families were fed. The project became a documentary and for every view, a meal was donated.

In the past, Toyota USA Foundation has funded the rebuilding of New Orleans, trained American Red Cross volunteers, increased Herman Miller cabinet production, and donated 100 cars to 100 nonprofit organizations. All nonprofits recognized as charitable are eligible for a grant. Involved in a nonprofit? What do you have to lose? Apply!

Lexus announced in a statement last week that it will be launching a new marketing campaign for its upcoming luxury crossover, the Lexus NX. The company is boasting the 2015 NX’s ability to go beyond the “typical” capabilities of a standard SUV.

Additionally, the 2015 NX will be aimed at a younger driving audience, one which is socially engaged, environmentally conscious, and constantly moving. Lexus aims to capture this market with app technology and the latest production techniques.

A handful of new TV spots will showcase the new campaign, across multiple major television stations at different times. Keep your eyes peeled for these new ads, which feature a variety of stories and music.

To get involved with the Lexus NX crossover campaign social conversation, follow the trend with #LexusNX.

Keep in touch with us for more information on new Lexus models, or visit us at Bill Walsh Toyota to check out one of our available models.

Toyota has been honored with one of the most sought-after titles in the automotive industry—that of the Consumer Reports’ best car values. Specifically, the magazine has named the Toyota Camry as the best value car.

In fact, CR claims that drivers who purchase the Toyota Camry end up getting twice the bang for their buck than those who purchase other models. Now that’s quite a testimony. The Camry is one of three Toyota models that made the CR list, a number higher than that of any other car company.

The decisions for which car wins each award are based on multiple factors, including “road tests, predicted reliability and five-year ownership costs, including depreciation, fuel, insurance premiums, interest on financing, maintenance and repairs and sales tax,” according to USA Today.

At Bill Walsh Toyota, we know all about Toyota’s great value and aren’t too surprised to hear that Toyota wins best car values. Come visit us today to see exactly what we have to offer.

Toyota has been honored with one of the most sought-after titles in the automotive industry—that of the Consumer Reports’ best car values. Specifically, the magazine has named the Toyota Camry as the best value car.

In fact, CR claims that drivers who purchase the Toyota Camry end up getting twice the bang for their buck than those who purchase other models. Now that’s quite a testimony. The Camry is one of three Toyota models that made the CR list, a number higher than that of any other car company.

The decisions for which car wins each award are based on multiple factors, including “road tests, predicted reliability and five-year ownership costs, including depreciation, fuel, insurance premiums, interest on financing, maintenance and repairs and sales tax,” according to USA Today.

At Bill Walsh Toyota, we know all about Toyota’s great value and aren’t too surprised to hear that Toyota wins best car values. Come visit us today to see exactly what we have to offer.

The Bill Walsh Toyota blog gives you full access to the deals going on in our dealership.

Are you in need of a trusted source for Toyota news? Or would you like to know more about Bill Walsh Toyota? Well, wish no further! The Bill Walsh Toyota blog is here to keep you informed and quench your thirst for everything Toyota. We welcome you out to our Illinois Toyota dealership anytime as we have a sales and service staff ready to answer your questions. Check back here weekly as we will have a new blog post every week with info on the latest rumblings from Toyota as well as your local Toyota dealer!